Packing construction for pump shafts or the like



May 23, 1950 s s ETAL 2,509,162

PACKING CONSTRUCTION FOR PUMP SHAFTS OR THE LIKE 'Filed Sept. 6, 1945 Z v zvmvroxs BYWJM WW I HTTOENEf IS'.

Patented May 23, 1950 PACKING CONSTRUCTION FOR PUMP SHAFTS OR THE LIKE John H. Moses and Joseph S. Kessler, Kenosha, Wis., assignors to Tri-Clover Machine (30., Kenosha, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application September 6, 1945, Serial No. 614,764

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in packing constructions for pump shafts or the like.

I-Ieretofore considerable trouble has been encountered in connection with pump shaft packings. For example, when pumping certain materials, such as synthetic latex, with a pump using a conventional stuffing box, it has been found that the latex would work its way into the clearance space around the shaft and be galled by the rotary motion of the shaft. This galled material would frequently cause sufficient friction to stall the driving motor. Furthermore, with the conventional type of packing construction it has been diflicult to clean material of this type from the metal surfaces.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved packing construction which will overcome the above-mentioned objectionable features and enable the pump to be successfully used for pumping material such as synthetic latex.

A further object of the invention is to provide a packing construction wherein the entire stuffing box and associated parts are readily removable for cleaning purposes. This feature makes the pump applicable to situations where a sanitary construction is required.

A further object of the invention is to provide a packing construction in which die molded packing rings may be employed to provide a more perfect seal on the shaft with less pressure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a packing construction which may be effectively employed in connection with a liquid sealing feature, there being means for directing the sealing liquid under pressure into the stuffing box and for directing a small quantity of said liquid into the clearance space around the pump shaft to prevent the entrance of foreign material into said clearance space and insure trouble free operation of the pump.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a packing construction wherein the stuffing box is so formed and locked in position as to provide an effective seal at both ends of the joint between the stuffing box and the pump casing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a packing construction as above described wherein there are packing rings within the stuffing box and wherein the lock nut which holds the stufling box in position acts against an additional packing ring positioned around the exterior of the stufiing box, the latter ring being so positioned, and cooperating in such a manner with the pump casing and stuffing box as to form an effective seal at the joint between the stufling box and the pump casing. The above-described construction is particularly useful in preventing the escape of a sealing liquid at the joint in constructions where a sealing liquid is pumped into the stufling box under pressure.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved packing construction for pump shafts or the like, and all its parts and combinations, as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawing, illustrating one complete embodiment of the preferred form of the invention, the figure is a longitudinal sectional view through a pump bracket illustrating the improved packing construction.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 5 designates a wall of a pump casing having a tubular boss or enlargement 6 projecting therefrom. The boss is externally threaded near its outer end, as at l, for cooperation with a nut 8. The nut 8 is adapted to engage the rim 9 of a circular opening H] in a pump shaft bracket II. The bracket H includes a circular chamber I2 and a tubular extension 13 projecting from said chamber. The pump shaft I4 is suitably journalled in bearings I5 and H5 in the tubular extension l3, and there may be sealing rings I1 and I8 adjacent the bearings. An intermediate portion of the shaft is preferably of enlarged diameter, as at [8, to provide annular shoulders l9 and 20 for engagement with the inner faces of the bearings l5 and I6. The left hand end of the shaft l4 may be suitably driven by any source of power and the other end of the shaft projects through the chamber [2 of the bracket and into the pump where it may be connected to a suitable pumping member to operate the latter.

Slidably fitted within the boss 6 of the pump casing is a stuffing box 2| which has an annular flange 22 positionable in an annular recess 23. The flange is adapted to bear against a flat paper gasket 24. A pin 25, which extends through a notch in the flange 22, prevents the stufflng box from turning.

Inwardly of the flange 22 the stuffing box may be formed with an opening 26 for sealing liquid and inwardly of the opening 26 the stufiing box is of reduced diameter to provide an annular shoulder 21. The shoulder 21 is in substantial registration with an annular shoulder 28 formed by enlarging the bore portion of the boss 6. In-

packing material.

3 wardly of the annular shoulder 21 the stuffing box is externally threaded, as at 29.

The internal diameter of the stufiing box is substantially larger than the external diameter of the portion 3:) of the pump shaft which extends therethrough. This provides a packing space which is substantially closed at one end by an inwardly projecting annular flange 3! on the stuffing box. The diameter of the bore of the flange 3! is slightly larger than the external diameter of the pump shaft as to provide a slight clearance space 32.

Surrounding the pump shaft it within the stuffing box are a few packing rings, such :as the two packing rings 33 illustrated. Following the packing rings 33 is a lantern ring 3 formed of metal and provided with radial holes 35 drilled through its wall. Inwardly of the lantern ring are additional packing rings 36 which are engaged by a follower ring 31. A nut 38, threaded on the threading 3B :of the stuffing box, may be manipulated :to press against the follower ring and draw up'the-paclzing material. The packing rings are preferably die molded of a suitable is very advantageous, as they can bemanufactured with precision to provide a perfect seal on the -'shaft with less pressure than must be exerted on ordinary packing rings.

Seated against the annular shoulders 2'! and Z8 and positioned within the annular groove 39 formed between the enlarged bore portion of :the boss 6 and the decreased diameter portion of theastuifing i'bOX is a packing ring Al A nut '41, threaded ion the external threading 29 of the stufing box, serves the dual purpose of locking thestuffing box to the pump casing and of pressing the packing ring 4% against the annular shoulders 2! and 28 to seallone end of the joint :42 between the stuffing box and the pump casing. The other end of this joint is sealed by the paper gasketl l' which is also tightly compressed when the nut M is drawn up. It is thus apparent that the nut M serves not only to hold the stuiiing b x in position but also to draw up the seals at both .ends of the joint .42.

A sealing liquid, which is delivered under constant pressure into the pipel3 enters the fitting 44 and isdirectedinto an angularduct 45 in the 'boss '6 of the pump casing. The :duct 45 communicates with an annular recess 36 surrounding the stuffing box, and the recess 66 in turn communicates with the transverse hole 25 of the etufiing box.

'I-nuse of the improved construction thesealing liquid, which is usuallywater, flows through the -duct"l5 into the recess "Q6, through the opening '26 in the stufflngbox, and through the openings 35 in the lantern ring. The small number of packing rings 33 ato the'right'of the lantern ring allow averyaslight quantity'of sealing liquid to flow into the clearance" space 32 around'the-shaft 30. A rotary motion is imparted to this liquid due to the rotation of the shaft, and there is also :a forward-motion due to the constant pressure on the sealing liquid. The combination of these two motions effectively prevents any foreign material from entering clearance space 32 and :thus'insures trouble free-operation of the pump. While the sealing liquid is ordinarily water, for specialapplications,particularly in the chemical industry, various-otherliquids may be used. During operation of theapurnp the sealing liquid should be under constant pressure, and, there- The construction lends itself wel1to the "use of die molded packing rings which fore, it is desirable that a standard pressure regulat-or and gauge be employed in the line 43. This will permit an accurate control of the seal and result in maximum operating efficiency for the unit.

It is apparent that the action of the ,nut M in compressing the packing ringAil and at the same time the paper gasket 24, prevents the escape of sealing liquid through the joint 52 and also prevents the entrance of foreign material into the joint. The improved packing construction, including the above feature, has utility both with and without the sealing liquid feature and, therefore, theimproved arrangement is advantageous in constructions where no sealing liquid is used.

The stufiing box construction is such that die molded packing rings may be employed for the paclzingrings 33, 35 and A6. Inasmuch as these rings may be die molded to specified dimensions, a perfectseal on the shaft may be obtained with aminimum of pressure.

It is apparent that the entire stuiiing box is easilyremovablefor cleaning and repacxingand it is, therefore, relatively easy to maintain the packingat high eficiency.

Various changes and adaptations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and all of such changes or adaptations are contemplated as may come within the scope of the claims.

What we claim is:

.1. .In a combination with a wall having a bore extending .therethrough, a stuffing box fitted in said bore and projecting from .one end thereof and having a projecting annular flange at the other end, sealing means between .said flange and wall, a sealingring overlapping the annular joint between the stuffing box and wall on the opposite side of the wall from said sealing means, the sealing ring being of such width and .so located that part of its width is positioned outwardly of said joint and part inwardly thereof, and a nut threaded on the projecting end of the .stufdng box for performing the plural function of holding the stuffing box in position and of compressing the sealing means and sealing ring.

2. In a combination with a wall having a bore extending therethrough, a .stufilng box fitted in said bore and projecting from one end thereof and having a projecting annular flange at the other end, sealing means between .said flange and wall, a sealing ring overlapping the annular joint between the stufiing-box and wall-on the opposite side of the wall fromsaid sealing means, the sealing ring being of such Width and .so .10-

' cated that part of its width is positioned outwardly'of said joint and part inwardly thereof, and aunt threaded onthe projecting end of the stufling box for performing the plural function oi-holding the stuffing box in position and of compressing the sealing means and sealingring, said stuihng box having :a transverse opening located intermediate the sealingmeans and sealing ring, and said wall having .a duct communicating with said opening in the stuffing box for directing a sealing liquid into said stuffing box.

3. In combination with a wall having a'bore extending therethrough,, one end of said bore having a portion of enlarged diameter to provide an annular shoulder, a stufiing box fitted .in said bore-and projecting'from oneend thereof, said end .of the stufiing box having a portion of decreased diameter to provide an annular shoulder which substantially registers with the annular shoulder in the 'bore and provides in conjunction with the enlarged diameter portion of the bore an annular groove leading to said registering shoulders and to the annular joint between the bore and stuffing box, said stuffing box having a projecting annular flange at its opposite end, sealing means between said flange and the wall, a sealing ring positioned in said annular groove and overlapping said joint between the bore and stufling box, and a nut threaded on the projecting end of the stuifing box for holding the stufling box in position and for compressing the sealing means and sealing ring.

4. In combination with a wall having a bore extending therethrough, one end of said bore having a portion of enlarged diameter to provide an annular shoulder, a stufling box fitted in said bore and projecting from one end thereof, said end of the stufling box having a portion of decreased diameter to provide an annular shoulder which substantially registers with the annular shoulder in the bore and provides in conjunction with the enlarged diameter portion of the bore an annular groove leading to said registering shoulders and to the annular joint between the bore and stufling box, said stufling box having a projecting annular flange at its opposite end, sealing means between said flange and the wall, a sealing ring positioned in said annular groove and overlapping said annular joint between the bore and stuffing box, and a nut threaded on the projecting end of the stufling box for holding the stufling box in position and for compressing the sealing means and sealing ring, said stuffing box having a transverse opening located intermediate the sealing means and sealing ring, and said wall having a duct communicating with said opening in the stuifing box for directing a sealing liquid into said stuffing box.

5. In combination with a wall having a bore extending therethrough, and having a stufling box fitted in said bore and projecting from one end thereof adapted to receive a lantern ring having an opening extending therethrough and adapted to have packing means on each side of the lantern ring and having means at each end of the stufiing box for retaining the packing in position, a shaft of less diameter than the internal diameter of the stuffing box extending through the latter, said stuffing box projecting from one end of the wall and having a projecting. annular flange at the other end, sealing means between said flange and the wall, a sealin the lantern ring, and said wall having a duct communicating with said opening in the stufling boxfor directing a sealing liquid into the stuifing box and through the opening in the lantern ring to the shaft.

6. In combination with a wall having a bore extending therethrough, and having a stuffing box fitted in said bore and projecting from one end thereof adapted to receive a lantern ring having an opening extending theretlirongh and adapted to have packing means on each side of the lantern ring and having means at each end ofthe stuflingbox for retaining the packing in position, ashaft 6 of less diameter than the internal diameter of the stufiing box extending through the latter, said stufling box projecting from one end of the wall and having a projecting annular flange at the other end, sealing means between said flange and wall, a sealing ring overlapping the annular joint between the stufling box and wall on the opposite side of the wall from said sealing means, and a nut threaded on the projecting end of the stuffing box for holding the stufling box in position and for compressing the sealing means and sealing ring, said stuffing box having a transverse opening located intermediate the sealing means and sealing ring which opening communicates with the opening in the lantern ring, and said wall having a duct communicating with the stuffing box opening for directing a sealing liquid into the stuffing box.

7. In combination with a wall having a bore extending therethrough, and having a stuffing box fitted in said bore and projecting from one end thereof adapted to receive a lantern ring having an opening extending therethrough and adapted to having packin on each side of the lantern ring and having means at each end of the stufiing box including an adjustable member at at least one of the ends for retaining the packing in position, a shaft of less diameter than the internal diameter of the stufling box extending through the latter, said stufiing box projecting from one end of the wall and having a projecting annular flange at the other end, sealing means between said flange and wall, a sealing ring overlapping the annular joint between the stuffing box and wall on the opposite side of the wall from said sealing means, and a nut threaded on the projecting end of the stuffing box for holding the stufling box in position and for compressing the sealing means and sealing ring, said stuifin box having a transverse opening located intermediate the sealing means and sealing ring which opening communicates with the opening in the lantern ring, and said wall having a duct communicating with the stufiing box opening for directing a sealing liquid into the stufiing box.

8. In combination with a wall having a bore extending therethrough, and having a stuffing box fitted in said bore and projecting from one end thereof adapted to receive a lantern ring having an opening extending from its periphery through to the shaft and adapted to have packing rings on each side of the lantern ring and having means at each end of the stuffing box including an adjustable take-up means at the projecting end of the stuflmg box for retaining the packing rings in position, a shaft of less diameter than the internal diameter of the stufiing box extending through the latter, said stuffing box projecting from one end of the wall and having annular flanges at the other end one of which projects away from the shaft and the other of which projects toward the shaft and terminates short of the shaft to provide a slight clearance space, said last-mentioned flange also serving as a retaining shoulder for the packing rings, a sealing gasket between the other flange of the stufiing box and the wall, a ring overlapping the annular joint between the stuffing box and wall on the opposite side of the wall from said sealing gasket, and a nut threaded on the projecting end of the stuffing box inwardly of the stuffing box take-up means for holding the stuffing box in position and for compressing the sealing gasket and sealing ring, said stufiing box having an opening located intermediate the sealing gasket and sealing ring and communicating with the opening in the lantern ring, and said wall having a duct communicating with said stuffing boxopenin for directing a sealing liquid into the stufiing'box and into contact with the shaft for ieakage past the relatively small number of packing rings on one side of the lantern ring to the clearance space between the stufing box flange and shaft.

9. In combination with a wall having a bore extending therethrough, one end of said bore having a portion of enlargecldiameter to provide an annular shoulder, a stuffing box fitted in said bore and projecting from one end thereof, said end of thestuffing box having a portion of decreased diameter to provide an annular shoulder which substantially registers with the annular shoulder in the bore and provides in conjunction with the enlarged diameter portion of the bore an annular groove leading to said registering shoulders and to the annular joint between the bore and stuffing box, said stufiing box having a projecting annular flange at its opposite end, a sealing ring positioned in said annular groove and overlapping said joint between the bore and stuffing box, and a nut threaded on a projecting portion of the studing box for holding the stuffing box in position and for compressing and maintaining a sealed condi- ,tion between the wall and stuffing box.

10. In combination with a wall having a bore extending therethrough, one end of said bore having a portion of enlarged diameter to provide an annular shoulder, a stuffing box fitted in said bore and projecting from one end thereof, said end or" the stuffingbox having a portion of decreased diameterto provide an annular shoulder which substantially registers with the annular shoulder in the-bore and provides in conjunction with the enlarged diameter portion of the bore an annuiar groove leading to said registering shoulders and to the annular joint between the bore and stuffing box, said stuffing box having a projecting annular flange at its opposite end, a-sealing ring positioned in said annular groove and overlapping'said joint between the bore and stuffing box, and a nut threaded on a projecting portion of the stufling box for hold the stuffing box in position and for compressing andmaintaining a sealed condition between the walland stuifing box, said stufiing box having a transverse opening located inter-- mediate its length, and said W311 having a duct communicating with said opening in the stuffing box for directing a sealing liquid into said stuifing box.

11. In combination with a wall having a bore extending therethrough, one end of said bore having a portion or" enlarged diameter to provide an annular shoulder, a stuiiing box fitting in said bore and projecting from one end thereof and having a transverse opening intermediate its length, said end of the stuffing box having a portion of decreased diameter to provide an annular shoulder which substantially registers with the annular shoulder in the bore and provides in conjunction with the enlarged diameter portion of the bore an annular groove leading to said registering shoulders and to the annular joint between the bore and stufiing box, said stuning box having a projecting annular flange at its opposite end, a sealing ring positioned in said annular groove and overlapping said annular joint between the bore and stufiing box, and a nut threaded on a projecting portion of the stuffing box for holding the stuffing box in position and for compressing and maintaining a sealed condition between the wall and stufiing box, said stuffing box having a trans-- verse opening located intermediate the sealing ring and the annular shoulder at the opposite end I bore, and said wall having a duct commusaid opening in the stuffing box sealin uid into the stuffing box in Comb-"wt with the shaft.

JOHN H. MOSES. JOSEPH S. KESSLER.

REFERENCES EFF-SEE UIITED PA 1 L NTS Emu-her Name Date 580,049 Heiin et al Apr. 5, 1897 1,562,195 Schenck Nov. 17, 1925 1,670,358 MacPherson May 22, 1928 1,687,646 Duncan Oct. 16, 1928 1,829,206 Wilson Oct. 2'7, 1931 1,925,392 LaBour Sept. 5, 1933 FQREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 644,722 France of 1928 249,415 Great Britain of 1926 

